North Coast groups link to progress community buy-out of historic site
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Three North Coast organisations are joining forces to push forward with a community buy-out of one of Sutherland’s most historically significant sites.
North Sutherland Community Forest Trust (NSCFT) is linking with Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra Community Council and Strathnaver Museum to progress the purchase of Rosal pre-clearance village and a surrounding area of woodland in Strathnaver.
And the new partnership is also aiming for a community buy-out of a log cabin in Borgie Forest not far from the main Tongue to Bettyhill road.
Both Rosal village and the log cabin are currently in the ownership of Forestry and Land Scotland.
The buy-outs will be under discussion at the Forsinain based NSCFT’s AGM on Tuesday, January 26, when the “starting gun will be fired" on the partnership.
Strathnaver Museum has already been granted funding from the Scottish Land Fund towards exploring the community purchase of Rosal village and a team of consultants has been engaged.
Other funding to support development work has come from Strathy North joint Community Benefit Fund, Bettyhill wind far Fund, Tanlaw Foundation and Forestry and Land Scotland.
Trust director Tim Curtis said: “We have some really exciting ideas for things that can be done at Rosal and Borgie and a team of consultants has been engaged with Scottish Land Fund money to explore the potential benefits of these community buy-outs.”
He added that once the consultants had helped “narrow down the options”, a consultation exercise would be launched to gauge the level of support in the community.
“Without community support the purchases will not go ahead,” he said.
Volunteers are now being sought to join two working groups to explore options for both sites. One group is being tasked with identifying heritage and cultural opportunities relating to Rosal village and surrounding archaeological sites.
The other group will be asked to look at the options to develop the more than 100 acres of forestry surrounding the site for community benefit.
The township at Rosal was cleared of its inhabitants in the 19th century - they were forced to leave to make way for large-scale sheep production.
Today more than 70 ruined buildings sit on the hillside overlooking Ben Loyal. Interpretive panels imagine what daily life would have been like in the township.
Jim Johnston, secretary of Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra Community Council, said: “The community council first raised the idea of buying Rosal on behalf of the public when the pre-clearance village site was included in a parcel of land put up for sale by the Forestry Commission a year or two ago.
“We are very pleased that the NSCFT is undertaking the onerous task of acquisition and look forward to supporting them, Strathnaver Museum, and other interested parties, in developing the opportunities it presents.”
Strathnaver Museum director Colin McDonogh, said: “Strathnaver Museum is delighted to be working with North Sutherland Community Forest Trust to ensure that the pre-clearance village of Rosal is protected and interpreted for everyone’s enjoyment.
"Rosal is an iconic site in the history of the Strathnaver Clearances and alongside nearby ancient monuments span thousands of years of human occupation; together they help illustrate the story we tell at Strathnaver Museum.”
Anyone interested in attending the trust’s virtual AGM or contributing to the working groups is invited to contact Mr Curtis by email: curtisim42@gmail.com
